I have two other deer related posts “How to Photograph Deer” and “Deer Photography“
For those a little squeamish do not proceed.
Most of these photo essays deal with the death of ten Whitetail deer done in by forest creatures within several hundred yards of my house this spring.
To skip the details go to the two photo essays near the end of the list.
To get the complete story you should first probably read the lead in as listed below from posts in my blog or you can go through the blog using the “Home” tab above and scrolling down to 2008-04-07 “Deer Starving”.
Forensics at the Scene of the Crime
Here is the Coyote side of the story.
Finally one year later got some photos of one possible predator caught in the act. There are several posting on the subject, after the first link, you’ll have to explore on your own.
The latest Photo Essay version of “Whitetail in Spring”
All posts compiled into a 53 page Photo Essay – older version of Whitetail in Spring”
Another 25 page Photo Essay following just one of the take downs
To continue click on any of links below for a short photo Essay:
The Wolf Kill, redone with more emotive photo’s like the one below. I think this is the best one.
A Deer Tail, revised edition written with a much less shaky hand.
Scene of the Crime, Original edition written immediately after the fact with my heart still thumping.
Bob,
All things considered, I believe you should get a gun. The pike will not protect you or your children from a pack of wolves. Indeed, a gun might not, either.
I know there are many considerations involved. Weigh them.
Your art is excellent. Very compelling. Real life and art are not the same things. You know that. I’m just saying, watch out for the things you value most.
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BobW (Mike, If I had a hand gun I probably would carry it even if it is against the law here in Canada. On the other hand it feels more exciting to go hand to hand at least in my imagination, reality would probably get the better of me, depending on their team work.
Here is another interesting factoid. When I first discovered we had wolves and bears I called all our government officials to find out who was responsible for the problem, me or them. Several denied that there were wolves and bears in the area but all agreed that it was not a government problem. Well we live within the city limits and there is a bylaw forbidding the discharge of firearms. Questioning these bureaucrats, I asked if it would be a violation of the bylaw if I shot a wolf attacking one of my kids, the stupid answer of course was “IT WOULD BE A VIOLATION”!
I did however get to talking with the bylaw enforcement officer who also lives in the country and he eventually coughed up that there is a way around the bylaw. If any animal is molesting livestock you can use any means to kill it. This law does not include pets but does include things like chickens or other animals that you are eventually going to kill anyway.
No real parent would stand by and watch their kid being killed by an animal, but just to be humorous and on the right side of the law we started raising rabbits in an outdoor pen. So now if any animal comes near the house we could legally blast away, if I had a gun. Well the rabbits didn’t last too long, their number got to seventeen and then one night all seventeen disappeared.
There are pro and cons to be living in a gun toting country down south.)
I am really enjoying your blog and photos. All my life I have lived in the Chicago Illinois region, and seek out wildlife experiences. I have thought to relocate to an area such as you describe.
You mention you are in city limits but there is so much rich wildlife. Its exactly the kind of place I want to retire. Perhaps you could tell me the region in Canada in which you live?
As for the wolves….it seems as if they have plenty of deer and other wildlife to eat. Its not a good idea to raise rabbits or chickens etc…as that is an attractant not only to wolves, but badges and wolverines. Do you have wolverines in your area? They also can take down an adult deer.
D you carry “bear” spray? That could also make you feel a bit safer with the wolves etc so near by. Your blog is oh so rich—quite a greater story teller….I am envious. I wish to live in an area such as you do. I even have wolf howl recordings…which lull me to sleep.
One thing….if you are feeding the deer with the corn…you DO know you are attracting the wolves to your back yard. For in assembling a banquet…..all will come for the feast. wolves can and do travel hundreds of miles for food….think of that as you fear for your children waiting for the school bus.
I will continue to read your blog. Its wonderful in helping me endure a suburban lifestyle as I do research on where the wilderness is for my retirement home.
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BobW (Thanks for the kind words.
I don’t think we have wolverines in the area or at least I have never seen them.
When I got myself outfitted to photograph the Canada Geese nesting in the beaver pond I bought some bear spray as part of the kit, it is not as reassuring as the pike, though maybe more effective. The pike has other uses as a walking stick and is much more effective at clearing brush out of your way than a matchete.
Every year we have from five to twenty deer that constantly hang around the house during spring. Only some years are conditions bad enough for them to start chewing on my shrubbery. This year is the only year that I have tried corn as a diversion to stop the destruction of the shrubs. I only scatter about two handfuls of corn a day. It seems to stop them chewing on the shrubs. Only a few of the deer are bold enough to come in close enough to do the shrubs in and the corn seems to be the solution. This year I only observed four deer of the ten or so around the house that came in for the corn/shrubs.
This year my youngest kid graduated from high school so there will be no more waiting for the school buses in the early morning hours.
Retirement areas, good question. There is lots of wilderness here in Canada as well as the States but it seems a more gentle approach to life here in Canada (My old man is American, hangs out near Boston, I like New England too). Each of the areas has their own characteristics. I kind of like the characteristics of Georgian Bay, the area around the mouth of the French river. The Great Lakes sure do offer a different flavor.
Fifteen years ago when I moved out of the Ottawa suburbs to this patch of woods my bad allergies immediately cleared up. I suspect they were exacerbated by pollution. I’ve sent you an email with the map)
I have to laugh. Wildlife biologists never tell the truth. for example cougars are spotted in many states …Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri…yet…ask a biologist, and “they have not lived year since previous to 1900s.”
But they are here, but they cannot say they do because of all sorts of economic and political reasons. Just like they cannot confess to you on the record that wolves and bears live in your area.
Its no one’s fault the bears and wolves are there…Its your fault you choose to live amongst them
I would trade homes with you any day. ♥
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BobW (Mary Anne, now that you have put it into words, it is easy to see some of the deceptions propagated by the “Wild Life Experts”)